Journal of orthopaedic trauma
-
Comparative Study
Incidence of hardware-related pain and its effect on functional outcomes after open reduction and internal fixation of ankle fractures.
To document the incidence of late pain and hardware removal after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of ankle fractures. To test the hypothesis that late pain overlying the distal tibial and fibular hardware is associated with poorer functional outcomes. ⋯ The incidence of late pain overlying the distal tibial and fibular plate or screws is not insignificant. Although pain is generally decreased after hardware removal, nearly half of patients continue to have pain even after hardware removal. Functional outcome scores are poorer for patients with pain overlying lateral ankle hardware than in those with no pain at this location; this poorer outcome seems to be independent of whether the hardware was removed. Although the results of this study do not support or condemn the routine removal of fracture hardware after healing of unstable ankle fractures, they give orthopaedic surgeons some information that may assist them in counseling patients as to the expected functional outcome after ORIF of ankle fractures and the likelihood of relief of pain after removal of fracture hardware from the distal tibia and fibula.
-
To analyze the mechanism of injury for foot and ankle fractures resulting from automobile accidents to create a basis for developing an improved design for protection. ⋯ Although overall car passenger safety has improved, the relative incidence of foot and ankle fractures has increased. Comparing drivers and front seat passengers, the foot pedals, steering wheel, or the asymmetric design of the dashboard did not influence injury incidence, mechanism, or severity. Foot fractures are mainly caused by the foot compartment deformation in head-on collisions, and therefore improvements in foot compartments are essential for fracture prevention.
-
There are only a few reported cases of compartment syndrome after an ankle fracture, and all have involved the deep posterior compartment. We present a case in which a patient had a Bosworth fracture-dislocation of the ankle, underwent open reduction internal fixation, and subsequently had an anterior compartment syndrome of the leg. Early recognition and prompt treatment are essential to avoid the late sequelae of compartment syndrome.